Hà Nội rejects increase of electric cars

HÀ NỘI — A proposal to increase the number of electric cars to boost Hà Nội’s tourism has been rejected by the capital city’s People’s Committee.

The city refused to open electric car routes from the Old Quarters to the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Hồ Chí Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature.

The tourist model using electric cars is the pilot stage and has not been evaluated, therefore it cannot be replicated at the moment, the committee’s officials said.

The city is drafting a report for the Government and Ministry of Transport on the management of electric cars since there are currently no regulations on using this type of transportation, as well as requirements on quality standards and driving licences.

The city is also planning to limit the number of electric cars to ease traffic jams in the city, officials said.

The committee has requested the Đồng Xuân Joint Stock Company to shift its tourism development orientation towards the "city tours" model.

The company’s proposal to pilot the electric car tourism model in the Old Quarters and around Hoàn Kiếm Lake was approved by the city in 2010. Twelve electric cars were put into use at the time. — VNS